Following the game’s original release on both Gamecube and Wii platforms many years ago, Nintendo are set to release The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD on the Wii U starting March 5th 2016. This edition will not just feature enhanced visuals, but will also include a small number of gameplay improvements/additions – some which players will likely use on a regular basis and others which are completely optional.
By using the Wii U GamePad, players can now easily manage their inventory, access the map and quickly transform into a wolf via the touch screen, all without pausing the game. Players will also be able to use the GamePad to access Miiverse and can even play the game off-TV. Miiverse posts can be decorated with dozens of new Twilight Princess-related Miiverse stamps, hidden away throughout Hyrule. These are features that come standard with many Wii U games, and Twilight Princess HD is no exception.
The addition of a new item, the Ghost Lantern, will aid Link in the Poe Soul retrieving quest. When Link holds the Ghost Lantern it will helpfully glow when it detects a Poe in the area. Similarly, the number of Tears of Light that need to be collected by Link at various points in his adventure has been reduced from 16 to 12, making these collection tasks easier. Furthermore, if Link finds Rupees in a treasure chest while his wallet is already full, Rupees will no longer be returned to that chest. Players are also less likely to reach the limit of their wallets, as these have been modified to hold more Rupees.
Finally, Nintendo have confirmed that there will be a new mode available to those who think they have the skills already and would like more of a challenge. In “Hero Mode”, Link will take double the normal damage and there are no health-replenishing hearts to be found. In a final layer of challenge the game world is also mirrored, so dungeon layouts will be reversed compared to the standard mode (Presumably reversed like the original Gamecube release). For the masochists out there, tapping the Ganondorf amiibo while playing in Hero Mode will cause Link to take four times the normal damage until the play session ends.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD is set for release on the Wii U starting March 5th 2016.
